Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Resolution Rebuking Trump On Trade

A largely symbolic resolution pushing back on President Donald Trump's policy of citing national security concerns to impose tariffs on U.S. allies easily cleared the Senate on Wednesday.

The Senate voted 88 to 11 in favor of the resolution, with thirty-nine Republicans joining with all of the Democrats in the chamber and the Senate's two independents to approve the measure.

The resolution instructs conferees working to resolve differences on an appropriations bill to include language giving Congress a role in the implementation of national security-designated tariffs.

The strong support for the measure reflects concerns about Trump's decision to cite national security concerns to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

Senator Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a frequent Trump critic, called the vote a clear rebuke of the administration's trade policy.

"This vote represents the strongest and most straightforward message this chamber has delivered against the administration's abuse of trade authority," Flake said.

He added, "Imposing tariffs on products from allies that pose no threat to our national security is just plain wrong."

The resolution is non-binding, but Flake and Senators Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Pat Toomey, R-Penn., said they will continue to push for a binding vote on legislation they introduced in June.

Corker said he expects support for their legislation will grow as the U.S. economy and American businesses and consumers begin to feel the damaging effects of Trump's "incoherent trade policy."